What we do
A guided tour through one of our favorite projects

Project Summary

In 1992, Pompei A.D. was commissioned by Anthropologie to develop the initial concept for the brand’s environments and has subsequently designed 92 Anthropologie stores throughout the United States. These projects are the result of a longstanding, close collaboration between Pompei A.D., Anthropologie’s creative team, and a nationwide network of artist and artisan subcontractors for fixturing and finishes.

The stores incorporate rich, sensual, and engaging environments that integrate elements of the local culture in a contextual manner so that no two stores are exactly alike. The store environment thus strengthens the customer’s identification with the brand while maintaining an underlying identity. Pompei A.D.’s designs reject the usual brand choice of sheetrock and dropped ceilings in favor of more creative solutions. Merchandise is integrated into a variety of creative vignettes and displays designed to offer the customer an entire look at a distinct lifestyle. The artful visual merchandising provides connections between the store design, the merchandise, and the customer, creating a tailored shopping experience for each customer.

Aside from the store’s rich palette of finish materials developed by Pompei A.D. (usually 60 or more compared to the six to eight used in most retail stores), Anthropologie is famed for the informal layout Pompei A.D. devised. This layout includes a sculptural “arcade” of vignettes, unique floor fixtures, and furniture, and creatively designed fitting areas and service counters. The informal layout gives each store the flexibility to customize its setup in order for the Anthropologie shopper to explore its “flea-market” treasures.